Opposition Report: Louisville Cardinals

UConn - Louisville, Stats

FIRST MATCHUP

Rebounding

— Louisville out-rebounded UConn 45-30 in the first matchup; 16-8 offensive boards. Minimized UConn to one shot per possession. Rebounds also created easy transition opportunities.

Zone Defense

— Louisville played various defenses in the first matchup. They pressed full court man to man, but also played 3-2 matchup zone. Here are some observations on the zone:

–> Foul line is wide open. Great high-low potential here.
–> Also can use foul line to converge the defense, then kick out to shooters
–> Guards can penetrate the zone from the wings
–> Several openings here

Video: Zone

— Shabazz Napier 30 points vs. Louisville

— DeAndre Daniels 1-9 FG vs. Louisville (3 pts)

— Daniels 11-19 FG vs. Temple (34 pts)

–> Stepped into shot confidently. Played with urgency and confidence.

KEYS TO WIN

— Rebound! (Louisville out-rebounded UConn 45-30 in the first matchup; 16-8 on offensive glass)

— Minimize Turnovers (Louisville forces TOs on 24.6% of opponent possessions; 3rd in country)

— Box out Montrezl Harrell and Stephen Van Treese (Louisville’s 37% O-rebound percentage is 26th in the country)

— Keep Harrell off the baseline! (he roams the baseline of put-backs and drop offs)

— Make shooters dribble (Russ Smith, Terry Rozier, Luke Hancock are less effective shooting off the dribble)

— Make them beat you inside (Only 5% of offense in Post-Ups)

— Match their intensity (they play at a Championship speed, and with physicality inside)

STARTERS
PG – Chris Jones (5-10)
G – Russ Smith (6-0)
SG/SF – Luke Hancock (6-6)
PF – Montrezl Harrell (6-9)
PF/C – Stephan Van Treese (6-9)

RESERVES
G – Terry Rozier (6-1)
G/F – Wayne Blackshear (6-5)
PF/C – Mangok Mathiang (6-10)

#24 Montrezl Harrell (SO) — 13.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 SPG
PF, 6-9, 235

61% FG, 47% FT

Strengths
— Strong and very physical forward
— Relentless on the glass; punishes people along the way
— Roams the paint and baseline, for drop-offs put-backs (explosive and strong)
— Contagious energy and effort (must match his intensity and effort)

Weaknesses
— Poor back to the basket game
— Poor jump shot (developing, but not polished)
— Struggles to defend jump shots and contain stretch-forwards (maybe DeAndre Daniels can exploit with shooting)

Video: 18 points vs. UConn

Put-Backs / Physicality

Strong on the offensive glass. 12.5% offensive rebounding percentage ranks 97th in the country. Great motor and athlete. Establishes position and uses strength/athleticism. Must put a body on him and get physical.

Cutting

26% of Harrell’s baskets this season have come in the form of “cutting/slashing” to the hoop, and he is shooting 68% on cuts. He roams the baseline, often receiving a bounce pass and simultaneously going up for a dunk. He gets into pockets of the zone, sometimes deceptively. Be aware of where he is.

Transition

Uses athleticism in transition. Dominant force as a trail man.

Shooting

Shooting is neither a strength nor a weakness. Harrell is improving his mid-range jump shot—he stepped into it confidently vs. UConn—but he still isn’t a reliable shooter. Don’t  play him too tight, but also don’t play 15 feet off of him.

#2 Russ Smith (SR) — 17.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2 SPG
G, 6-0, 165

46% FG, 37% three-point (5 attempts)

— One of the best scorers in college basketball. Can score from anywhere, and in bunches.
— Quick off the bounce, good pull-up, can take it all the way. Not big, but a lot of heart, and can convert difficult shots.
— Pick-and-Roll Scoring
— Court vision

Video: 23 points vs. UConn

Court Vision

Pick-and-Roll Scoring

Very effective scoring off the pick and roll this season, converting 51% of his attempts. His .97 PPP in pick-and-roll situations ranks in the 84th percentile. With any separation coming around a screen, Smith can pull-up for a three-pointer or penetrate. Also uses his floater.

#3 Chris Jones (JR) — 9.8 PPG, 3 APG, 2 RPG
PG, 5-10, 175

41% FG, 33% three-point (3.4 attempts)

— Physical guard with range on his jump shot and a strong handle
— Good shooter from the pick and roll (35% of offense comes in pick and roll)
— Creates off the dribble and has great playmaking ability
— Tough point guard with all-around skill set
— Didn’t play in the first matchup

Shooting

Shooting 35% on jump shots; 37% on catch and shoot; 31% off the dribble

Pick and Roll Passing

Jones sees well out of the pick and roll. Teammates are scoring a very good 1.2 points per play off Jones’ pick and roll passing. Attacks the lane and draws defenders. Surrounded by shooters on the outside and Harrell down low, Jones can distribute off the pick and roll.

Pick and Roll Scoring

Jones is also dangerous driving off the pick and roll. He can pull-up for a jumper, use a floater or finish at the rim. He is particularly adept at seeing a crease in the lane and attacking the open space.

#11 Luke Hancock (SR) — 11.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2 APG
G/F, 6-6, 200

34% three-point (5 attempts), 83% FT

— Louisville’s best 3-point shooter
— 51 of 95 field goals are 3′s
— Can shoot on the catch, or off the dribble. Mostly on the catch, though.
— Do not leave him open

Video: 3-Pointers

#20 Wayne Blackshear (JR) — 8.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG
G/F, 6-5, 210

— Versatile defender with 3-point range. Blackshear is an x-factor who can get in a groove at any time. He is also a physical and aggressive rebounder.

Video: Rebounding

3-Point Shooting

#0 Terry Rozier (FR) — 7.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2 APG
G, 6-1, 165

38% three-point (3 attempts per game)

— Good catch-and-Shoot (50% of jump shots; shooting 36%)
— Poor shooting off the dribble (21%)
— Long arms to contest shots
— Capable finisher

Shooting

— Catch and shoot success

Off the Dribble Struggles

Defensive Length